Pope Francis Criticizes ‘Rigid’ Attire and Mentality of Conservative Prelates in New Autobiography

Vatican City – In his newly published autobiography Hope, Pope Francis has taken a firm stance against what he describes as the “rigid” mentality and ostentatious dress of some conservative bishops and cardinals. The Pope argues that such practices reflect deeper issues within the Church’s traditionalist factions.

In the book, released on January 14, the Pope critiques the use of elaborate attire such as lace-trimmed garments, rochets, and the cappa magna—a ceremonial robe that can extend up to ten meters in length. According to Francis, this “clerical ostentation” may sometimes mask “mental imbalance, emotional deviation, or behavioral difficulties.”

Commentators have linked the critique to figures like Cardinal Raymond Burke, a prominent conservative prelate known for his use of the cappa magna and opposition to several of Pope Francis’ reforms. Burke notably challenged the Pope’s 2016 decision to lift the ban on communion for remarried divorcees and more recently opposed blessings for same-sex couples.

The Pope’s disagreement with Burke has been well-documented. In 2014, Francis removed Burke from his position as head of the Vatican’s high court. More recently, in 2023, the Pope also evicted him from his subsidized apartment in Rome after Burke publicly criticized the Church’s direction under Francis.

Francis reflects on his own approach to papal attire in Hope, emphasizing simplicity over tradition. “They offered me a beautiful golden cross, and I said, ‘I have this nickel silver one from my episcopal ordination; I’ve been carrying it for 20 years,’” he writes. He also rejected the traditional red papal shoes, opting instead for orthopaedic footwear, humorously recalling, “I didn’t want to be an ice-cream seller.”

Hope marks the first autobiography by a sitting Pope. Initially planned for release after Francis’ death, the publication was brought forward to serve as an “update of his views,” according to journalist Melanie McDonagh. In an analysis for the Catholic Herald, McDonagh describes the Pope as “simultaneously compassionate and authoritarian,” highlighting the complexity of his leadership.

The book further cements Francis’ commitment to a simpler and more inclusive vision of the Church while signaling his ongoing critique of rigid traditionalism.